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Lowell's Varnum School to house war veterans

Developers eye $2M renovation of site

By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com

Updated:
12/11/2012 11:36:03 AM EST

LOWELL -- Once full of children learning about the country's war heroes, the former Varnum School is slated to reopen as a housing complex targeted for those Americans returning from recent service and those who served years ago.

Underwood Property Management and Development LLC plans to spend close to $2 million transforming the historic school property into 22 two- and three-bedroom housing units.

The City Council voted last week to approve the Lowell development company's proposal to buy the property from the city for $285,000 to carry out its plan.

The former school on Myrtle Street will be privately-owned, but the new owners of the site say they will give veterans preference to secure units in order to create a vibrant and tight-knit community for those who have sacrificed so much for their country.

"They will have an Esprit de corps and will be able to support one another," said Tom Underwood, a co-partner of Underwood Property Management and Development. "They will also be able to relate to each other in ways only those who have served can."

For Underwood, a lieutenant in the Lowell Fire Department, and his brother and development co-partner Ricky Underwood the idea to create housing for veterans stemmed from their personal histories.

When Ricky Underwood's son Ryan returned from serving in the U.S. Army's special forces in Iraq several years ago, his son moved into a tiny apartment above a convenience store.

"I remember thinking my son and other veterans like him deserved better," said Ricky Underwood, who is also the head custodian at the Sullivan School.

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Tom Underwood, a 21-year Army veteran and the city's former deputy director of veterans' services, agreed, knowing that the need is there. His son has also served the country.

The brothers had looked at the former Butler School in Lowell to see if that could be a possible site for housing targeted to veterans, but decided it needed too much work.

After a tour of the former Varnum School, which has been vacant about five years but remains in good shape, they both agreed it was the perfect opportunity to make their goal a reality.

The brothers envision a community room where information about different benefit programs for veterans could be provided.

They also hope people who know of veterans in need of housing will tell them about the Varnum apartments, and the brothers have already been in contact with the Lowell Housing Authority about directing veterans their way.

"The space is beautiful and renovating it into apartments is a way to do something for the veterans, make sure there are quality tenants and do something for the city," Ricky Underwood said. "We are thrilled with the opportunity."

The units could be online and ready for occupancy in early 2014. Washington Savings Bank is financing $1.55 million of the project and the Underwoods are putting up more than $300,000 for the work.

After the renovations, the property is expected to generate $30,000 in annual property-tax revenue to the city. The units will be market-rate or lower in price, which will be determined based on the renovation cost.

The proposal calls for empty classrooms to come to life with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.

The Underwoods, who restored the historic Peter Powers House on Lawrence Street, also plan to try to keep the historical building's architecture in tact as much as possible.

The brick exterior will be cleaned, the hardwood floors inside will remain, the large hallway corridors will stay as they are and even some classroom chalkboards could be maintained.

Some of the wooden trusses in the south-end attic below the building's bell tower could even remain and the half-room windows will be highlighted. The original archway entrance on the Myrtle Street side of the building will be restored.

City officials are excited about the prospect of seeing the school building come back to life and believe it will be a boon to the neighborhood.

"I'm excited to see the building renovated and brought back to its previous glory," said Patti Lucken, the city's asset manager. "The neighbors will be happy."

The Underwoods' plan for the former Varnum School also secured the backing of the Centralville Neighborhood Action Group, which sent the city a letter of support for the project.

Sandy McNamara, president of the group, said the Underwoods' focus on veterans helped generate enthusiasm for the project in the neighborhood.

If the Underwoods actively market the property to veterans, they should be successful in filling the building with them, she said.

"They are over there fighting for us and they deserve to come home to a nice, happy home," McNamara said. "It sounds like an awesome idea and I hope it will work."

Ann Marie Page of Fremont Street said the neighborhood also warmed up to the Underwoods' plan more than other proposals for the Varnum site because the housing will not be "low- or no-income" housing.

A previous Community Teamwork Inc. of Lowell proposal called for more than two dozen affordable rental units at the site.

"I think people in the neighborhood were afraid to have a housing project in the middle of the neighborhood," Page said.

"We all support working-family housing to help veterans coming home get on their feet and get settled."

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